Manchester United went into Saturday’s game against Arsenal after two defeats and two poor performances. The fanbase was understandably nervous, but United bounced back to come away from the Emirates with a point after a late equaliser denied them all three.
The 1-1 draw was reminiscent of United teams in recent years, so here are five far more positive things United fans can take away from the game.
Left-side stability
Eva Olid has reshuffled United’s left side throughout the opening three games, using Anna Sandberg, Monica Jusu Bah and Andrea Medina in different left-wing roles. Against Arsenal, Sandberg returned to left-back and Medina moved further forward, a change that suited both players.
The pair restricted many of Arsenal’s attacks on that side. Sandberg frequently got the better of Olivia Smith in an excellent individual battle, while Medina excelled in the more advanced role. She created openings going forward, tracked back diligently and covered the space behind Sandberg with several last-ditch tackles and blocks.
Together, they gave United a much-needed balance on the left that had been missing in the opening two games.
Olid showing adaptability
One of the main questions coming into the game was whether Olid would adopt a more defensive approach after the heavy defeat to Chelsea. United have generally been difficult to beat over the past few seasons, with a central block of four being particularly effective at closing spaces.
Pre match, Olid said: “I’m here to implement a new style of play in attack and to have more of the ball, to attack more. But I don’t want that you change what you were doing well. That aggression, that defensive hunger that they had, is the main focus this Saturday.”
That suggested United would return to some of the qualities that served them well last season, when they kept three clean sheets against Arsenal across league and cup.
The changes were clear to see during the game, with the midfield pivot of Hinata Miyazawa and goal-scorer Julia Zigiotti Olme shielding the centre-backs of Maya Le Tissier and Dominique Janssen. Medina and Jess Park tucked inside the full-backs to restrict Arsenal’s space, especially through central areas.
Big calls paid off
Olid made two eye-catching selection decisions before kick-off. She dropped Ella Toone to the bench for Simi Awujo and left the more natural winger Jusu Bah out of the starting XI, instead using Medina in the advanced left-sided role.
Leaving a high-profile player such as Toone on the bench in a game of this size will always attract attention if the result goes badly. On this occasion, the change helped give United greater balance in midfield. Awujo played off striker Elisabeth Terland and added physicality in an area where United knew they would spend long periods without the ball.
Toone’s quality in possession is undeniable, but United were unlikely to dominate possession away at Arsenal. They finished with 41% of the ball, which underlined why Olid prioritised a more defensive profile.
The decision paid off and offered a possible blueprint for games in which United need greater defensive security.
Olid explained Toone’s omission afterwards: “It was a technical decision. Tooney is an attacking player and I felt today we needed a more defensive profile. If I know we’re going to dominate the game, probably she is one of the best players to have the ball.”
Leading by example
United showed a clear lack of morale and confidence in their opening two games. Against Arsenal, they needed their captain to set the tone. Maya Le Tissier did exactly that.
She led United’s defensive effort with 20 defensive contributions, including 15 clearances and three tackles. She also won five of her seven ground duels and five of six aerial duels.
Le Tissier showed plenty of leadership qualities, often gathering teammates together after important defensive actions. Tough moments need strong leaders to stand up and raise the standard for those around them to follow, and there’s no doubt that United’s number 4 did just that.
Platform to build on
Despite only being a couple of games into the season, it felt as though the pressure on Olid was already building. Though United only managed a point after conceding a 95th-minute equaliser, a big performance like that can turn tides and breathe confidence back into a squad. United will now believe they can compete with the best teams in the league.
The performance was far from perfect. Arsenal’s poor finishing let United off on several occasions, and Olid’s side will not always escape those situations unpunished. United also improved with the ball, although their game management remains a concern. Late on, they repeatedly kicked long through the middle instead of taking the ball into the corners or keeping possession to slow the game down. That allowed Arsenal to launch one attack after another.
Olid acknowledged the same issue after the match, saying United needed to manage those moments better when protecting a lead.
Even so, United now have something to build on before facing Sheffield United in the Subway Players Cup. They rediscovered some of the defensive resilience that has defined them in recent seasons while also showing glimpses of the style Olid wants to develop.
